Local Priest Facing Sex Charges Involving Children

Franklin County Sheriff's deputies have arrested a Greek Orthodox priest on sex crime charges in a sting that developed after he posted an ad on an adult social networking site.

56-year-old Patrick Hughes of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral on North High Street faces charges of attempted rape and attempted unlawful sexual contact with a minor. He was arrested Wednesday night at a location where he thought he was meeting 9-year-old and a 14-year-old boy for sex. Deputies say he set up the meeting through a website where parents offer their children for sex. Hughes is being held on 100-thousand dollars bond.